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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a pilot program to provide electronic |
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prescribing tools to rural physicians. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter M-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER M-1. ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING TOOLS PILOT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 531.471. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "physician" |
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and "rural" have the definitions assigned by Section 487.601. |
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Sec. 531.472. PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall |
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develop a pilot program to provide electronic prescribing tools at |
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no cost to physicians in rural areas to increase clinical quality, |
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reduce unnecessary costs, and streamline workflows. |
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(b) The pilot program shall provide services to not more |
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than 50 physicians in rural areas practicing in not more than five |
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counties in this state. |
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(c) The pilot program shall provide the participating |
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physicians with: |
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(1) software that: |
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(A) connects physicians to a medication |
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database; |
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(B) tracks patient prescription histories; |
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(C) provides drug interaction data and |
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information on dosages; and |
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(D) notifies the physician in real time of the |
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formulary status of a drug; |
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(2) a high-speed Internet connection; |
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(3) electronic equipment, if necessary; and |
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(4) training on the use of the software, Internet |
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tools, and equipment in the pilot program. |
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(d) The commission may contract with an outside company for |
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the creation of software or for use of existing software. |
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(e) The commission shall select physicians for |
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participation in the program based on a physician's current access |
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to technology that assists in prescribing. |
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Sec. 531.473. REPORT. (a) The commission shall submit a |
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report on the implementation of the pilot program under this |
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subchapter to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the |
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house of representatives, and legislature not later than January 1, |
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2010. |
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(b) The report must include an assessment of any benefits of |
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the pilot program and any recommendations for future legislation. |
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Sec. 531.474. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires |
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September 1, 2011. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |